Shimano have designed the MW81s with a nod to those road warriors who like running SPDs (and being able to walk around) especially through the wetter and colder months. Commuter-friendly touches include a fully reflective upper strap and other well-positioned details on the sides and back providing 360 degree visibility.

I've found the boots exceptionally comfortable from day one. The roomy toe box allows for my slightly wider-than-average feet plus a variety of sock combinations, and the chunky offset straps allow for loads of non-restrictive adjustment. Note that the sizing is small – I'm usually a 40, but the 41 fitted well with standard cycling socks, and snugly with thicker winter socks. The boots are quoted at 815g for a pair of size 40s, but in use I've found them surprisingly light and not overly bulky. For reference, the tread-less road version (SH-RW80, which are Look, SPD-SL and SPD compatible) are 65g lighter.

Although I've ventured on some pseudo-cyclocross rides and muddy tracks, they've been used primarily on the road, including a fair bit of walking around. The tread has a decent amount of grip (including in the wet) if your cycling excursions do involve a bit of time off the pedals. By design, the MW 81s are extremely rugged, and I've been impressed by how well they've held up to some heavy use. The solid construction includes reinforced toe and heel area, and a durable Polyurethane coated leather upper which is both scuff resistant and easy to clean.

I always suffer with persistently numb toes in the colder months, but the windproof construction, insulated liner, and fleece insole have all really helped to keep the heat in. That overly sweaty feeling hasn't been an issue either thanks to the breathable Gore-Tex lining. My feet have been very happy for several hours with mid weight socks down to 3 or 4 degrees; normally completely numb toe territory. Any lower and I needed to be riding at a higher intensity to keep the blood warm. Where these boots have really come into their own though is long days out in that typically British forecast of '6 to 10 degrees – overcast with a chance of drizzle'. Probably not the 'foul weather' that Shimano quote, but they've done a good job of keeping me nice and comfortable through weeks of pretty variable conditions.

As for being waterproof...anything with a hole in the top will eventually let in rain, and these boots are no exception. The Gore-Tex membrane works well, but the one area of concern is the 'water-resistant' neoprene cuff with Velcro closure. I found it pretty comfortable, but water can migrate in if the cuff isn't secured tightly. For the record, I've been the victim of soaking feet after about an hour and a half in a few memorable downpours. Heavy rain aside, they perform brilliantly when out in patchy rain, drizzle, or puddle-filled lanes, and there's no fear of water seeping in from the cleat area or around the edges of overshoes. In fact, the main appeal of these boots is the truly 'low faff factor'; once they're on, you pretty much don't need to think below the ankle.

That being said, £150 is a lot of money. It's about weighing up how much you're willing to pay for the gains in warmth, waterproofing, and reduced hassle, versus just chucking on some thick socks and overshoes. They'll last ages though, and if you're out frequently in all weathers and want a comfortable, all-in-one solution, the MW 81s could be just the ticket.

Here's how we roll at road.cc:

Every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a real insight into whether it works or not. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective, and we strive to ensure that all opinions expressed are backed up by facts, but reviews are always a reviewer's informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores. It reflects both a product's function and value. Good scores are more common than bad, because fortunately good products are more common than bad. Here's what they mean: